Toolong

Thanks for that added info, Vinny. ????????

Can I just say that my phone went weird a while ago and I lost a lot replies I sent. They weren't being saved.....and weren't sent & then just disappeared. Anyway....sorry if replies are not happening or are late. ????

Kwasaki, you're right to - indirectly! - call me out on that prejudice. My prejudice is really rather of the worst kind, I admit.....????......based on a bit of this & a bit of that.....but nothing substantial! ????????????

Mazda 2 has a CVT, transam?

Agree! ????

Interesting....! My wife's fairly short and I'm not much taller myself, so wouldn't get too many bumps....in theory.

Thanks a lot for this link, vinny41. Needed it. ????????

Now that is interesting, xylophone! I was aware of the Swift. Don't know much about them tbh but have heard good reports about them. I definitely will find out more! They deserve to be given a close look-over. Liked what you said about the 'couple of hundred yards' instant romance! ????????????

Ermm.....I'd need to do more research about CVTs, tbh, before I feel I should attempt a reply to your comment that definitively evaluates it properly. You may be right. ????

Budget can stretch to 8 - 900k or more if it's the right vehicle that ticks all the boxes. Now I don't want to start a big ol' dispute amongst members, but tbh, I'm personally not YET convinced that MG deserve to be as popular as they appear to be. I know they've been selling in Thailand for 4 or 5 years at least, but they're still new guys on the block. I need more time! ????

Yes.....the Mazda 2 is looking good. (Mazda 3 in an ideal world!) I will, though, give the Yaris a chance to impress me. Just need a test drive and proper look-over etc.. (Everybody seems to have one.....except the Toyota showroom here!) ????

I certainly LIKE the Mazda 3's, personally.....a lot! ????????

For me....oh yes!!! ???? But tad too long, with - believe - visibilty issues with front chassis columns around windscreen + rear window.......but I could be wrong. But if the case....ok for me, but not my wife. ????

Yes, you're right to highlight how small cars can be much less safer in terms of collision damage, both to the car but more importantly the occupants! I quite agree and have considered that. However, weighing up the matter as best I can, and have done, it is something I reluctantly choose to compromise on in favour of smaller size. For better or worse. ???? ????

Hello there, My old Hi-lander pick-up, like me, has only limited mileage in it left. As importantly, it drinks diesel like I drink beer, which is a lot. I need to buy new wheels. If the choice of new vehicle was up to me based on me being the sole driver, then things would be simple.... But I may not be the sole driver anymore as my wife may drive it too. Just brief but crucial note here: she's got a license to drive but passed the test only a few years ago, at the age of 59! Before that, only motorcycles. She is NOT a born driver (if you know what I mean).........when I have given her driving lessons in the past in our manual pick-up, this has been, still is, very evident. To the point where I have tactfully stalled the process of buying a vehicle that she could drive. For her own sake, bless her. (Note: we live in an area of uncommonly dangerous roads & lethal u-turns.) Yes, manual gears can be tricky to learn so with automatic she might be able to take to the road more easily and safely. I'll get to the point. Any new vehicle that we buy to share the use of, must be SMALL, in my view....again, for her sake. I have driven the odd small (length-wise & width) automatic hatchback in the past and am convinced that this kind of vehicle would be her (our) safest bet. Easy to park, manouevre, feel-at-ease in,etc. So my query: which one? My own preference was for a Honda Jazz but was told at Honda that they are not making them anymore (I prefer to buy new, not 2nd hand, and anyway for some reason my wife isn't keen on them!). Toyota Yaris hatchback is a contender but local showroom - big, sprawling place - had, inexplicably, every model going except Yaris's. Not even brochures! Up-to-date 2023-model info & reviews in ENGLISH on youtube not easy to find. Honda City hatchbacks seem ok, but a tad bigger (longer) than the Yaris, while the Yaris hatchback is, AFAIK, longer still than the Mazda 2 hatchback. (So, size-wise, the Mazda 2 is definitely a contender, plus - unlike the Yaris or City - doesn't have CVT transmission, which I think is a good thing, as I'm no fan of slippy clutches & draggy 'pick-up' down the line. You may disagree about CVT and are welcome to do so.) For reasons based on her own prejudices (what friends have told her?), my wife is reluctant to consider Mitsubishi or Nissan. (Shame, as that Nissan March I drove once a few years ago was great fun!) Forgive my rambling....????....but I wondered what this forum's members might have to say about this. And any female members & drivers with opinions, views are very welcome.

You know, unheard? I was kind of wondering the same thing. I'm no expert on matters related to thermal/ air flow business, but no, I don't have what you call a 'roof exhaust' (ie, whirybird turbine, right?) and I know heat rises, so something did seem to me to be not ideal about soffit vents that to some extent actually allow heat IN as well as out (or am I completely wrong about that? I could be!), without a means by which that heat can be released higher up as it rises. I dunno. I'm still learning the basics! ????

Thanks for sending the pics, sometimeswoodworker! I appreciate it. ???? That price is tempting. For my single-storey bungalow that would be sufficient. Add to later as needed, if needed at all. Now to convince my wife we absolutely must get one! ????????

I agree. Borrow if you can, or be resourceful and make your own (or have it made), or hire if it's cost efficient to do so. But I kind of like the really functional, practical design of the metal rig-ups you often see on sites. But you're right and I mostly do as you do! ????????

Agree about needing safe equipment! I have good ladders, but would love to own a simple, reasonably priced platform scaffold rig, for use when the space allows. ????

Yes, you're spot-on about my inexperience with jig-saws. ???? What I've learned over the past 24 hours, thanks to you & others, is that my sensible options are summed up in your final sentence above. Thanks.????????

Yes, this is an example of how assumptions (mine) can be so wrong! ???? I thank you for giving me the detailed explanation of the differences in these materials. ???? As the existing solid boards (ie no vents) under my eaves are in good condition, I might still look into drilling or jig-sawing and adding vents myself....or....replace with pre-vented boards. Will do a cost-efficiency + labour-involved analysis, as best I can! Cheers! ????????

Yes, as you say, not worth the time. Easier to replace with right stuff. Well.....this is a real roller-coaster ride (for me) of learning about soffit board!!! Thanks again degrub. ????

Very interesting. Your recommendation means a radical change of plan, but I'm beginning to think you might be right. I did not fully realise how much I do NOT know about soffit boards!!! ???????? But I really appreciate your input, degrub! Thank you????

Thanks Elkski......????...what you say is interesting & useful. Recommendations from people with experience of using such tools is always valuable. I appreciate your comment. ????????

Well, I did NOT know that. That the boards are cement-based, I mean. Interesting! I thought drilling would be a piece of cake! Looks like I was wrong about that! Oh......time to reassess options. ???? Thank you, whaleboneman. ????